Dog tech

**Particle** · 10-31-2007, 07:56 PM

So against my better judgment (ability to travel easily, not clean up poo for the next 15 years, etc.), the wife and I are considering a dog. Frontrunner breeds are:

-shiba inu
-retired greyhound

We both grew up with cats, and I like those traits in these dogs: mellow. minimal barking. independent. don't lick your face. etc.

The problem with both of these, as far as I can tell, is that a) they are not recommended for any off-leash activity, and b) they aren't trail dogs. If I'm going to go through the hassle of owning a dog, I kinda want one that can follow me on ski tours and mtb rides. So, just curious if the collective knows of any good breeds that would fit the above criteria, as well as be able to tackle trails?

**KnumbChucK** · 10-31-2007, 08:44 PM

I have an australian shepherd mix that did 10 - 15 mile trail rides with ease in his younger days. He can hang on a short to moderate snow tour. Best hiking and trail dog ever. Never needed a leash and great with people and kids.

**plugboots** · 10-31-2007, 08:55 PM

Cattle dog, AKA blue or red healer. Nice size to deal with also after having Labs and Goldens for years.

**crackboy** · 10-31-2007, 09:43 PM

yea, but generally speaking herding type dogs will be barky when it comes to their house and they need to be worked.

maybe look at rhodesian ridgebacks?

you can find a mellow/ independent dog in any breed, its all temperment

**orange** · 10-31-2007, 10:22 PM

Nadia (GoNads) has a shiba inu and posts pictures of it in TR's.

T7 · 10-31-2007, 10:55 PM

I've got two Shiba's, both 1 year old litter mates. They are both great dogs for living in a small place, bark a lot less than any other dog that size I've come across and are quite cat like. I've a couple of cat loving friends who aren't into dogs but like my Shibas.
They are still young but they aren't too bad being off the lead. If you are going somewhere they will generally keep you in sight. It's when you stop that they want to explore and may forget about you.
I think that they will both be fine in about a year.

**Telephil** · 10-31-2007, 10:59 PM

Second Ridgebacks, just make sure you know what you're getting into when you train them. Great dogs though, but they typically don't like the cold.

I have a Plott Hound, which is similar in temperament and training (maybe a bit easier), but are heartier when it comes to cold. She rarely rarely barks, great with kids and is sooooooper mellow unless it's time to be active, it's great because she's figured out when those times are.

**crackboy** · 10-31-2007, 11:30 PM

yea, considering ridgebacks were bred to hunt lions in africa they probbaly wouldn't handle too much cold. but there are some really nice dog jackets out there. our pointer mix loves the snow but doesn't have an undercoat and we have a ruffwear for her

**Sirshredalot** · 11-01-2007, 02:17 AM

I have a standard collie. He is super mellow when he's inside (unlike some of the smaller herding breeds), but once I take him out, he is good to run 25 miles. Also, he is insanely smart and trainable. He never gets cold and I can strap up to about 20 pounds on his back.

Downsides: he has a metric assload of fur, so he sheds everywhere. He hates to swim and he doesn't have much of a retrieving instinct, so he is pretty limited as a hunting dog.

If you're just looking for a smart dog that never gets cold or tired, though, it's a fantastic breed.

**cowdog57** · 11-01-2007, 02:19 AM

Originally Posted by crackboy

yea, but generally speaking herding type dogs will be barky when it comes to their house and they need to be worked.

maybe look at rhodesian ridgebacks?

you can find a mellow/ independent dog in any breed, its all temperment

Australian cattle dog aka Heelers where bred to herd wild cattle and not to bark so as not to scatter the herd. Mine dont bark unless there is somthing to bark about. they are very loyal and never need a leash also tough as nails in any conditions.

**Foggy_Goggles** · 11-01-2007, 07:48 AM

Pound dog dude! Don't get a dog if you have any doubts.

**likwid** · 11-01-2007, 07:50 AM

Originally Posted by Particle

We both grew up with cats, and I like those traits in these dogs: mellow. minimal barking. independent. don't lick your face. etc.

Get a cat.

Originally Posted by Particle

If I'm going to go through the hassle of owning a dog

See... that line alone screams "don't get one then".
If you're not committed 100% to the trials and tribulations of dog ownership just don't fucking do it.
There's enough animals in shelters/pounds because of people who were "on the fence".

**Particle** · 11-01-2007, 08:13 AM

Don't worry likwid, we wouldn't get a dog w/o being committed to it. A cat is possible but the wife is badly allergic, and I'm mildly allergic. Plus like I said, it'd be really cool to have a dog that could hang on trails/short tours.

Blue heelers are cool, I didn't realize that about the barking. And I'll definitely look into ridgebacks. Thanks for the suggestions, keep em coming. edit to add: these are breed mixes I'd look for in a pound dog, too.

**daPig** · 11-01-2007, 08:44 AM

Ridgebacks are awesome dogs. But they hate the cold.

A friend who lives in Va Beach has one and has to put a jacket on him in the winter. Winter in Virginia Beach is typically in the 40s and 50s. I think the dog would need a down parka in the mountains.

Our neighbors have two Shibas. Theyre not well trained but they rarely bark and are friendly with people and other dogs. Theyre pretty small though so forget touring unless theres crust or the snowpack is thin.

**plugboots** · 11-01-2007, 08:48 AM

Got our red heeler at: http://www.milofoundation.org/

**cinnepa** · 11-01-2007, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by Foggy_Goggles

Pound dog dude! Don't get a dog if you have any doubts.

WE HAVE A WINNER.

**milton** · 11-01-2007, 09:19 AM

Get a lab mix from from pound, they are usually good trail buddies. However, they are chronic face lickers. Goodluck.

**Professor** · 11-01-2007, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by Particle

Plus like I said, it'd be really cool to have a dog that could hang on trails/short tours.

Two things, dogs and biking dont really mix. While mine used to love going to Moab and following us on our bikes, you can quickly outrun them on a DH style ride. We used to have to wait every mile or so on Porcupine Rim even when our oldest dog was in his prime. Two, remember most places in SLC that you want to ski you cant take a dog. EI, no dogs in BCC or LCC, not even in the summer. Which btw is the biggest gripe about SLC that I have

**Particle** · 11-01-2007, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by Professor

Two things, dogs and biking dont really mix. While mine used to love going to Moab and following us on our bikes, you can quickly outrun them on a DH style ride. We used to have to wait every mile or so on Porcupine Rim even when our oldest dog was in his prime. Two, remember most places in SLC that you want to ski you cant take a dog. EI, no dogs in BCC or LCC, not even in the summer. Which btw is the biggest gripe about SLC that I have

Yeah, very true on the trails/SLC issue. I've ridden a bunch with other dogs...e.g., Altagirls, Tuadog, etc. It's definitely a different pace/style of riding, but still fun as long as you're careful with the dogs. But it's still tough on them and just a prime of life type activity I know. I'm leaning towards a Shiba (rescue) at the moment.

**Kootenanny** · 11-01-2007, 10:06 AM

Second (third?) the Heeler suggestion! I'm on my second, and although the first barked constantly, this one's very quiet. These dogs are amazingly tough and athletic--mtb rides, no way could you keep up with my first one! (current one is a rescue, and she's too old...but still game!). Very smart and loyal dogs--but they do get bored easily, and need an owner who'll spend a lot of time with 'em (or put 'em to work).

Also second the "pound dog" suggestion. As I said, my current Heeler is a pound rescue...so is my Sheltie/Collie cross, who while very athletic and loyal, is a bit too nervous and needy for me to recommend the breed...

**AK PowderHound** · 11-01-2007, 10:34 AM

I've got a rott, love him to death. He loves the snow, was awesome camping/hiking this past summer, great at sticking around off-leash, and is one of the more intelligent dogs I've ever been around. Supposedly a mean breed I guess but its all temperment, mines awesome, just chills out and loves playing with people and other dogs. The trick is know where the dogs coming from, we got to know our breeder and let her know what we were looking for before we brought our dog home, and she picked out the best dog for us from the litter. Thats the one thing I have against "pound dogs"... you dont really know what you're getting. I applaud the people that do take those dogs though, I just didnt think I'd be able to find what I wanted in a dog at the pound.

**El Chupacabra** · 11-01-2007, 10:41 AM

Pound dog.

Behold our sheepdog/poodle mix from the shelter:

Loves running along with mountain bikes, hiking, and appears to love snow even more (rolls around in it -- what little we've gotten so far in Tahoe this year). Has absurdly thick coat -- although our dogs each have insulated igloo houses with big dog beds in them, I find her sleeping in the grass down to about 30 degrees outside.

**telechuck** · 11-01-2007, 10:42 AM

We have two retired greyhounds and they are great dogs. However, we never had any ambitions to take them riding, skiing, etc. We take them out three times a day, let them run themselves silly (about 10 minutes, remember, they are sprinters) and they lounge around the rest of the time. Decidedly way less maintenance then a lab or other hyper breed.

If you are dead set on taking them biking or skiing, pound hound all the way.

**Atlas Q. Powmonger** · 11-01-2007, 11:04 AM

I spent a LONG time deciding what kind of dog to get and finally decided on a Spinone. They have a lot of the good athletic attributes of retrievers/labs, but are super mellow, happy, and smart. Also, they have big webbed feet for swimming, so maybe a good platform for snow (we'll see this year). Here's mine at 10 weeks. He'll be about 80 - 90 lbs.

**Yeti** · 11-01-2007, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by KnumbChucK

I have an australian shepherd mix that did 10 - 15 mile trail rides with ease in his younger days. He can hang on a short to moderate snow tour. Best hiking and trail dog ever. Never needed a leash and great with people and kids.

My beast:

12 years old, and though I can outsprint him on foot now, his endurance is still solid. He's purebred Aussie, and is very driven and somewhat mouthy -- he'll herd anything and anyone using all the tools he has.